Building block



0. 21, 1941. EQT. PUTNAM I BUILDING B LOCK Filed May 27, 1939 2Sheets-Sheet l lnocmor [ELE T PUT/VAN.

Gttorneg Oct. 21, 1941. E. T. PUTNAM ,2

BUILDING BLOCK Filed May 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor EELE v7. PuNAM.

C(ttonieg Patented Oct. 21, 1941 Erle- T. Putnam,

Detroit, Mich.,

assignor to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a.corporation of Ohio Application May 27, 1939, SerialiNo. 276,190

Claims.

The present invention relates broadly tothe construction of walls, suchas the exterior orinterior walls of buildings, and more particularly toan improved building unit for use in the construction of such walls.

The building unit herein provided; consists briefly of a composite blockcomprising a body portion preferably formed from a suitable cementitiousmaterial and an ornamental facing therefor, consisting preferably of asheet or plate of opaque structural glass. The ornamental face plate issecured to the body portion by an in terposed layer of adhesive materialand also by mechanical fastening means, in the form of. meta1 framemembers or holders, engaging both the ornamental face plateand bodyportion.

An important object of the invention is the provision, in a buildingblock of this character, of improved. mechanical fastening means forsecuring the glass or other ornamental face plate to the body portion ina manner to. firmly lock the said facing and body portion together,whereby all danger of the, facing. becoming accidentally displaced willbe eliminated.

Another important object of. the invention. is the provision ofmechanical fastening means having portions engaging the body portion ofthe block and other portions engaging the edges of the face plate, and.ornamental metallic molding or edging strips associated with. themechanical fastening means and overlying. the outer surface of the faceplate to present a neat, attractive finish around the periphery of theblock.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of ametallic. molding or edging for the face plate and cushioning meansarranged between said metallic molding or edging and the edges of saidface plate to exert a yielding pressure upon the latter, whereby toprotect said edges from chipping. or spelling during and after thesetting of the block inthe wall.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentduring the course of the following description when taken inconnectionwith the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same;

Fig. l is a front elevation of a portion of a wall constructed inaccordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of one of the glass or other ornamental faceplates. and v the metal frame members associated therewith, the faceplate being" partially broken away to more clearly show the framemembers;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional' view through the wall takensubstantially on line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of one of the metalframe members.

With reference now to the drawings, there is disclosed in Fig. 3 a rearor foundation wall A and a front or exterior wall B constructed ofimproved building blocks provided by the present invention. While therear wall A is shown as consisting of conventional bricks or blocks 5laid in theusual manner with mortar 6 the said wall may obviously be ofany other desired construction.

The building blocks used in constructing the wall B may be of anydesired contour but as shown in Fig. 1, the said blocks-designated intheir entirety by the numeral 1, are rectangular. This is of course themost conventional shape, although they may obviously be of anyparticular shape or shapes desired. Each building block 1 is of acomposite construction comprising a body portion 8 preferably formed ofa suitable cementitious material, such as, for example, concrete,l-laydite, gypsum, or the like, and an ornamental facin 9, preferablyconsisting of a sheet or plate of opaque structural glass, althoughceramic tile or face plates of other materials may be used in somecases. Therefore, while the face plate will be hereinafter referred toas being of glass, it will be understood that a face plate of anydesired satisfactory material may be employed without departing from theinvention.

The face plate 9 covers substantially the entire front surface of thebody portion 8 and interposed between the said facing and body portionis a relatively thick, substantially uniform layer of adhesive materialIt, preferably an asphaltic mastic cement. This layer of adhesivematerial serves not only to bind the facing to the body portion but alsopermits relative expansion and contraction between the two withoutdanger of the face plate becoming broken. The layer of adhesive materialalso serves to cushion the face plate against. shock and blows therebyincreasing its resistance to breakage.

Arranged at each edge of the face plate 9 is a metal frame. member orholder H of the construction. shown in Fig. 4 and these frame members orholders cooperate to form a frame which preferably extends entirelyaround the perimeter of the block for mechanically securing the faceplate to thebody portion. Each of the frame members l-I may consist of asingle length of metal shaped to provide a longitudinally extendingchannel portion [2 which, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is received directlybehind the face plate 9. The outer wall I3- of the channel portion l2constitutes a shoulder which abuts the rear surface of the face plateandextending forwardly from said shoulder, and at substantially rightangles thereto, is a flange l4 terminating in an inwardly directed lipl5. The shoulder 13,

flange I4, and lip I5 cooperate to form a longitudinally extendingchannel I6 which is disposed opposite to and faces the respective edgeI! of the face plate.

As will be seen in Fig. 3, the width of the channel I6 of the metalframe member is relatively greater than the thickness of the face plate9 so that the inturned lip I5 overlies the outer ;sur-' face plate 9 islaid horizontally on a support and one of the metal frame members I Ipositioned at each side of the face plate so that the outer shoulder I3of the channel portion I2 rests upon the rear surface of said faceplate. Before the metal frame members are associated with the faceplate, however, the cushioning strips 2| are face of the face plate andis spaced therefrom.

The inner wall I8 of the channel portion I2 of the metal frame member isprovided at its inner end with a rearwardly extending, relatively wide,flat bearing portion I9 terminating in an angular flange 29 which isembedded in the body portion 8.

The edges II of the glass face plate 9 are preferably cut square withthe opposite surfaces of said face plate and arranged around said edgesare strips 2| of suitable resilient cushioning material, such as asphaltimpregnated cork, although they may be of rubber, rubber composition,etc. The strips of cushioning material 2I are received within'thechannels I6 of the metal frame members II and serve to protect the edgesof the face plate and to act as a cushion to prevent chipping orspalling of said edges during-the setting of the block in place in thewall. The cushioning strips 2I are preferably though not necessarilysecured to the edges of the faceplate by a suitable adhesive. While .thecushioning material has been referred to as consisting of a plurality ofstrips, it will be obvious that a single strip may be wrapped around theedges of the faceplate if desired. i

Carried by each metal frame member II is an ornamental molding or edgingstrip. 22 comprising a relatively wide, flat base portion 23 coveringthe flange I4 of the frame member and provided along its inner edge withan inturned lip 24 engaging the inner surrface of the shoulder I3. Theouter edge portion of the molding or edging 22 is bent inwardly as at 25to cover the outer surface of the lip I5 of the frame member and is thenbent back upon itself over the outer edge of said lip as at 26 to form abead 2]. The portion 26 of the molding or edging is received between theface plate 9 and the lip I5 of the metal frame member. p

The ornamental molding or edging strips 22 are preferably of stainlesssteel, although they may be of aluminum or any other suitable metal. Theframe members I I may be of. a relatively cheaper metal such as, forexample, cadmium plated iron; Also, due, to the provision oftheornamental molding or edging 22, the surfaces of the metal frame membersII need not be finished. The metallic molding formed by the strips 22will not only present an ornamental edge of neat, attractive appearancearoundthe perimeter of the block, but will also cooperate with the lipsI5 of the frame members to prevent accidental displacement of thefacing. Since the lips I5 of the metal frame members as well as themetallic edging overlie the ;outer surface of the face plate, the saidface plate will be effectively held in proper position at all times. Theappearance of the wall may; also be enhanced by the use of coloredmetallic molding strips 22 to provide a colored edging around the blockwhichharmonizes with the color of the glass facing. The metal framemembers and metallic molding or edging strips are preferably mitered atthe corners of the block as indicated at 28 (Fig. 1). I

In the manufacture ,of the block], theglass applied to the edges I! ofthe facing and, likewise, the desired molding strips 22 are associatedwith the metal frame members. Clamping means are provided for holdingthe metal frame members in proper position, with the flanges I4 thereofin firm, snug engagement with the cushioning strips 2I The mastic orother adhesive material III, in a semi-liquid state, is'then poured uponthe back of the face plate to cover substantially the entire surfacethereof and to form a layer of the desired thickness. The cement orother plastic material forming the body portion 8 is then deposited ontop of the layer of mastic too-over the same and to completely fill .thespace defined by the frame members. A mold can be built up around theframe members to permit the molded body portion 8 to be made relativelythicker than the width of the said frame members as shown in Fig. 3, andwhen this is done, the flanges 20 of said frame members will befirmlyembedded in the body portion, After the bodyportion has set, the moldand clamping, means are removed and the block is readyfor. use.

In constructing the ,wall, B,fthe, blocks I are laid up in courses inmuchthe same manner as cut stone, granite, or terra-cotta. The blocksarepreferably mechanically anchored tothe rear or foundation wall A inany suitable manner, and likewise, there is preferably interposedbetween the twov walls a layer of mortar 29. In setting the blocks oneupon the other, a layer of mortar is interposed between the bearingportions I9 of the frame membersof vertically adjacent blocks and alsobetween the body portions of the blocks, inwardly ,of said metalportions, as indicated at 3 9 in Fig. 3 .This layerof mortar will serveto maintainthe glass. face plates of vertically adjacent blocks spacedfrom one another so that no load of the Wall will be placed upon saidfacings. The mortar 39 is adapted to terminateinwardly of the channelportions I2 of l the frame vmembers atsubstantially the point 3| andarranged within the mating channel portions I2 of adjacent frame membersand also between the molding strips 22 is a suitablepointing or caulkingmaterial 32 which is adapted to remain more or less plastic. Thispointing or caulking material is preferably inserted after the blockshave been set and the layer of mortar 30 hardened.

By laying up the blocks I in this manner, the structural load of thewall will be supported entirely by the body portions 8 of the blocks,with none of the load being placed upon the glass face plates. In otherwords, the load of one block is transferred directly to the bodyportionof the next lower block through the bed of mortar 3D and each bodyportion takes the full strain of the blocks above it. Since, when theblocks are laid in this manner, it is impossible for the verticallyadjacent face plates to engage one another, the strain upon the saidface plates will be reduced to a minimum, thereby eliminating breakageand chipping thereof.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the portions 26 of the edging strips 22 arenot pressed tightly against the inner surfaces of the lips I5 ofthemetal frame members II, but instead have their free edges spacedslightly therefrom. The advantage of this arrangement is that it takescare of any variations in the thickness of the face plates. That is tosay, if the face plate were relatively thicker than is shown in Fig. 3,the portions 26 of the edging strips 22 could be pressed more tightlyagainst the lips l of the metal frame members I I. On the other hand, ifthe face plate were relatively thinner than is shown in Fig. 3, theportions 26 of the edging strips could be spaced a correspondinglygreater distance from the lips I5. The edging strips 22 are preferablyformed of spring metal so that the portions 26 thereof exert a yieldingpressure upon the face plate.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A building block of the character described, comprising a bodyportion formed from a cementitious material, a face plate covering asurface of the body portion, a layer of adhesive material interposedbetween said face plate and body portion, mechanical fastening means forsecuring said face plate to said body portion including metal framemembers arranged at the edges of the block and each having a portionembedded in said body portion; a shoulder engaging the rear surface ofsaid face plate and a i flange extending forwardly from said shoulderand terminating in a lip overlying the outer surface of said face platein spaced relation thereto and cooperating with said flange and shoulderto form a channel opposite the edge of said face plate, cushioningmaterial disposed in said channel and engaging the edge of said faceplate, and metallic molding strips fitting over the channels of saidframe members and each including a portion engaging said shoulder andanother portion covering said lip and being bent upon itself over saidlip and disposed between said lip and face plate.

2. A building block of the character described,

comprising a body portion formed from a cemena titious material, a faceplate covering a surface of the body portion, a layer of adhesivematerial interposed between said face plate and body portion, mechanicalfastening means for securing said face plate to said body portionincluding metal frame members arranged at the edges of the block andeach having a portion embedded in said body portion; a shoulder engagingthe rear surface of said face plate and a flange extending forwardlyfrom said shoulder and terminating in a lip overlying the outer surfaceof said face plate and cooperating with said flange and shoulder to forma channel opposite the edge of said face plate, cushioning materialdisposed in said channel and engaging the edge of said face plate, andmetallic molding strips fitting over the channels of said frame membersand each including a portion engaging said shoulder and another portioncovering said lip.

3. A building block of the character described, comprising a bodyportion formed from a cementitious material, a face plate covering asurface of the body portion, a layer of adhesive material interposedbetween said face plate and body portion, mechanical fastening means forsecuring said face plate to said body portion including metal framemembers secured to the edges of the body portion and each comprising anoutwardly facing channel portion disposed in back of said face plate andhaving a shoulder engaging the rear surface of said face plate and aforwardly directed flange disposed opposite the edge of said face plateand terminating in a lip overlying the outer surface thereof andcooperating with said flange and shoulder to form a channel portionopposite the edge of said face plate, cushioning material disposed insaid second-mentioned channel portion and engaging the edge of said faceplate, and a metallic molding strip fitting over the saidsecond-mentioned channel portion and having a part thereof receivedwithin said first-named channel portion and engaging the shoulderthereof and another part covering said lip.

4. A building block of the character described, comprising a bodyportion formed from a cementitious material, a face plate covering asurface of the body portion, a layer of adhesive material interposedbetween said face plate and body portion, mechanical fastening means forsecuring said face plate to said body portion including metal framemembers secured to the edges of the body portion and each comprising anoutwardly facing channel portion disposed in back of said face plate andhaving a shoulder engaging the rear surface of said face plate and aforwardly directed flange disposed opposite the edge of said face plateand terminating in a lip overlying the outer surface thereof in spacedrelation thereto and cooperating with said flange and shoulder to form achannel portion opposite the edge of said face plate, cushioningmaterial disposed in said second-mentioned channel portion and engagingthe edge of said face plate, and a metallic molding strip fitting overthe said second-mentioned channel portion and having a part thereofreceived within said first-named channel portion and engaging theshoulder thereof and another part covering said lip and being bent uponitself over said lip and disposed between said lip and face plate.

5. A building block of the character described, comprising a bodyportion formed from a cementitious material, a face plate covering asurface of the body portion, a layer of adhesive material interposedbetween said face plate and body portion, mechanical fastening means forsecuring said face plate to said body portion including metal framemembers arranged at the edges of the block and each having a portionembedded in said body portion; an outwardly facing channel portiondisposed in back of said face plate and having a shoulder engaging therear surface thereof and an inwardly facing channel portion opposite theedge of said face plate and including a lip overlying the outer surfacethereof, cushioning material disposed in said secondmentioned channelportion and engaging the edge of said face plate, and a metallic moldingstrip fitting over the said second-mentioned channel portion and havinga part thereof disposed in said first-named channel portion and engagingthe shoulder thereof and another part covering the lip of saidsecond-mentioned channel portion.

ERLE T. PUTNAM.

